Jan 21, 2016

Head of Mission Libya - Based in Tunisia


Employer: Handicap International
Location: Libya/Tunisia
Closing date: 06 Feb 2016

Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights.

Handicap International is a not-for-profit organisation with no religious or political affiliation. It operates as a federation made up of a network of associations that provide it with human and financial resources, manage its projects and implement its actions and social mission.

For more details on the association: www.handicap-international.fr and review our job offers:http://www.handicap-international.fr/emploi

JOB CONTEXT:
In April 2011 HI deployed its first teams on the ground to Benghazi to deliver emergency Risk Education (RE) to civilians caught in the conflict that erupted two months earlier between those loyal to the long-time rule of Colonel Gaddafi and those who opposed it. Once the security situation stabilised, HI expanded the activities to Misrata and Sirte. Soon after, four Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams were established to survey and clear explosive items conducting Battle Area Clearance (BAC) and responding to direct reports from the community for Spot Tasks in both Sirte and Misrata.

Owing to a progressive decrease in the security situation in Libya, the current project *‘Emergency Risk Awareness response to reduce the direct threats from Conventional Weapons to communities in Libya’ *is managed from the Tunisian coordination office and implemented through local project staff and partners in Libya.

Other projects are under development with several proposals prepared in January 2016 and one planned for February (ECHO) for implementation from March.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the direct management of the Mine action Desk Officer based in Lyon within the Humanitarian Unit, you will manage all aspects of HI’s Libya programme from the remote base of Tunisia. You will coordinate the implementation of HI’s projects in the fields of Conventional Weapons Risk Reduction and emergency support to Persons with Disabilities and/or injuries. You will liaise with the Development Division’s Maghreb programme regional office for supporting development oriented projects in the disability sector in Libya.

Due to the remote management of the projects, as well as programme development, you will be heavily involved in supporting project implementation along with project staff ensuring donor obligations are met with special emphasis on monitoring and evaluation of activities through HI project staff and partners.

You will manage directly 2 staff: the Administration/Logistic Coordinator and a Project Manager. Main external interactions include the national mine action authorities and other government institutions, UNMAS and other NGOs, as well as the donor community and local partners.

The main stakes of this position are:
Programme strategy and development (fundraising)
Team management (13 persons in Libya/3 persons in Tunis)
Partnership management with a range of international and national partners from non-government, government and inter-governmental organisations

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

You have/ You are:

Higher education (through a degree and/or equivalent professional experience) in economics, social sciences, management or other discipline related to the profile

At least 5 years international field experience of programme management and implementation including experience of team management and project engineering-related issues (financial and budgetary procedures, organisation, planning, reporting, implementation of the project cycle…)

Demonstrated experience in writing proposals and obtaining funding for these proposals.
Experience working with multicultural and pluri-disciplinary teams in various sectors, both internal and external to the mission or programme.
Knowledge of public aid to development and emergency assistance issues.

Would be an asset:
Experience working in the field of Mine Action or disarmament
Knowledge of the IMAS (International Mine Action Standards)

REQUIRED LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Fluency in English and French. Working knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage

JOB ENVIRONMENT:
The Head of Mission will be based in Tunis (Tunisia) sharing an office with HI’s local development programme. Dependent on the evolution of the context and subject to rigorous security assessments, visits to Libya may be required for assessment and monitoring and evaluation purposes.

Security:

Although Tunisia has been considered as a safe country to work in over the last years, recent terrorist attacks have demonstrated the need to upgrade risk mitigation measures within the mission. Tunis remains a place where a good standard of living can be expected. Libya can be a highly stressful environment with fluctuant security.

Living conditions: You will share accommodation with between 1 – 2 other expatriates, unless they choose to rent their own apartment.